You have just worked a cardiac arrest call on a 48-year-old father of three.Despite your best efforts,the patient died in the emergency department.As you are getting your ambulance in service,the patient's wife rushes out of the emergency department.She finds you and begins screaming at you that her husband's death is your fault.She blames you for not getting on the scene fast enough,taking too long at the house,and not shocking her husband back to life like she has seen on television.What response should you have to her anger?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best response to the wife's anger is to listen empathetically to all of her complaints and let her know that she can contact you for any additional assistance. It is important to acknowledge her feelings and validate her experiences. Correcting her misconceptions or reassuring her that everything will be okay may come across as dismissive and insensitive. It is also important to recognize that she is likely in the anger stage of grief and may not be receptive to rational explanations or reassurances.  Overall, offering support and a listening ear can help her process her emotions and begin to cope with her loss.

You Have Just Worked a Cardiac Arrest Call on a 48-Year-Old